The Democratic advocate., 1887-07-16


She went to the dining room and told
us the names of the pictures there, and
then to those on the stairs, and last of all
to the corridor. Ruth made notes of all
she told us, and the dead and gone men
and women whose counterfeit presentments
were before us seemed to be brought step
nearer now that we knew what names they
had borne while on earth
But still no Laura appeared, and at last
Lady Olive said: "The carriage will be
here in seven minutesr'
"How vexing it is that we cannot find
mother" said Agnes. II wish she would
not 90 to such out-of-the-way places p
That expressions seemed to reveal to me
where she was-it was like flash of in
spiration. II do believe can find her p'
l said, and went in search of the little room
which had charmed me so much when
Laura first showed it to me. But my
memory was not so good as hers. opened
several doors, and still did not find the
long, narrow bedroom with two beds in it,
which was the ante-chamber to the other
room.
"What are you looking for 2" asked Lady
Olive.
Until she spoke, l had forgotten that she
was at home here and could guide me.
81 want long slip of a room with two
beds in it. You have TO 90 through it to
get to dear little room beyond
"Oh, l know" she said, promptly, and
Immediately took me to the room in ques-
tion.
1 opened the low door and stopped down
to look inside. Yes, there by the open
window, and framed as it were by the jes-
samine outside, sat Laura, sweet, placid,
quietly contemplative figure, robed as usual
in soft, cool gray. A book lay on her lap,
but she wanted no book-she was the pic
ture of tranquil happiness.
"Laura, dear2" | said, hastily, "we have
been searching for you everywhere Luck
lily | thought you might be here. Let me
introduce you to Lady Olive Damer, who
has come here with me to see you"
She rose and welcomed Lady Olive, and
made many apologies for her absence. at
is this room which tempts me and often
makes me so difficult to find-I am so fond
of this room"
81 wonder if Lady Olive had the same
liking for itwhen she lived here ?' | said,
by way Of saying something, for Lady Olive
seemed so long in speaking.
"Oh yes, liked ii" she replied nerv-
ously. 81 liked it and all the rest of the
house very much until" and then she
stopped suddenly.
How foolish she was She did not want
Laura to know about the ghost, and yet it
seemed to me that she had just been on the
point of telling her about it herself.
SIT is delightful p exclaimed Laura, ap-
parently not observing the interruption.
Everything is delightful I never liked
any house so much-it is strange to say so
to you, Lady Olive, but feel just as if all
| see were my own
Lady Olive seemed unable to take her
eyes off Mrs. Arblthpot, aud they were
not SO kindly in their expression as should
have liked. They were full of cold, criti-
cal inquiry, with strong dash Of repug-
nance, | supposed that she did not like
to hear Mrs, Arbuthnot, whom doubtless
she regarded as immensely inferior to her
self, protesting herself 80 thoroughly at
home In house that belonged to member
of the aristocracy,
But no, that could not be the reason, for
soon afterward her ladyship began to talk,
and was most civil, expressing the greatest
satisfaction in her tenant S satisfaction. We
returned to the drawing-room and had tea.
And yet | could not help thinking that
Lady Olive looked at my dear Laura with
an air of being on her guard against her.
Suddenly l had an idea which seemed
to explain this little. She was afraid
that something might be said about the
ghost She knew that she had acknowl-
edged her belief in what she was pleased
to consider its existence to me, and was
afraid that should be shocked if heard
her deny it, as she certainly would deny it,
to her tenant. Very soon Laura did say,
81 am the more happy here, because l was
led to expect so much that would have
been disagreeable. We were told that there
was ghost / can only say that none of
US have ever seen one.
Considering how anxious Lady Olive was
to secure a good character for her house,
I thought she might have received this
communication more gratefully. She said
nothing, but looked at Laura with astrange
expression. 1 was sorry for Lady Olive
how she must have wished that she had
not said so much to mel
''Lady Olive" said Laura gently, twill
you excuse me asking you this-but do
take such interest in ghost stories. I
don't care in the least what the servants
say they sa W, but do want to ask you if
you ever saw anything, aad if you really
think that the house is haunted ?"
eyes, Arbuthnot," replied Lady Olive,
and her words seemed wrung from her in
spite of herself 'The house was haunted
it was haunted by you p